Mobile devices have become the main gateway to the internet for a huge number of families around the globe, but that doesn't change the fact that there are at least four billion people without the ability to connect. The people behind the Endless project believe that this lack of connectivity shouldn't be a limiting factor for studying, working, and growing in every sense. That's why they decided to develop a relatively affordable computer, loaded with multiple local applications and complete encyclopedias.
I think there's no point in hiding it: Every time my internet connection drops, what follows is a real torrent of insults aimed at the modem. All my attempts to reduce that dependence have failed spectacularly, and so I remain in front of a screen that slowly steals the little sleep I have left. Even so, nobody can deny the solid advantages of a more or less stable internet connection. With that in mind, the reality that there are more than four billion people without a connection hits much harder than a temporary interruption. We're talking about people who can't access encyclopedias, medical information, free books, construction techniques, repair guides, and news about events happening in their own country. The lack of infrastructure is terrible, yet the minds behind the Endless project believe it all starts with placing a specially prepared computer that can resist that lack of connectivity.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/mZvKprn1Z74Endless OS and Hardware
A fundamental piece of the Endless computer is its operating system, Endless OS. Its interface is inspired by current smartphones, and it comes loaded with more than 100 applications. Games, general health, cooking recipes, agriculture, maternity, dentistry, and two local copies of Wikipedia and Khan Academy are part of the package. Its update system seeks to adapt as well as possible to very limited connections and frequent power interruptions, while the hardware aims for low consumption. The specifications tell us of a Celeron N2807 chip (dual-core, 2.17 GHz), 2 GB of RAM, three USB ports, HDMI, VGA, gigabit Ethernet, 3.5-millimeter audio output, and 32 GB of eMMC storage in the most accessible model.
Pricing and Technical Concerns
As always, the theory looks quite good on paper, and there are no immediate reasons to doubt the goodwill of those responsible for the project, but there are some technical details of Endless that don't fully add up, such as the absence of an RCA video output. While it's true that the television is one of the appliances with the highest proliferation in humble regions, assuming that all of them are flat screens with HDMI output might be a mistake, although on the other hand, the presence of the VGA port opens a door for CRT monitors that are still in working condition. The most affordable option of the Endless under its Kickstarter campaign costs 169 dollars, and for 20 dollars more it includes WiFi and Bluetooth modules. Donating a full system amounts to 224 dollars, and the option to "buy one and give another" is exactly 500 dollars. If there are no issues, the first shipments will take place between June and August of this year.
